Monty the Sad Puppy Read online

  “Should we put their bowls close together?” Amelie asked. “Would that help?”

  Dad shook his head. “Not yet. Let’s work up to it. We’ll put Daisy’s over here, by the door.”

  Monty was looking happier now, wagging his tail eagerly as he saw his bag of food come out. But Daisy hadn’t moved. She was still under the table and she wasn’t paying any attention to the food Dad was pouring into her bowl. Amelie watched as Monty wolfed down his dinner and Daisy ignored hers completely.

  “I suppose she doesn’t feel like eating,” Josh said slowly, crouching down by the table and reaching out his hand for Daisy to sniff. But Daisy turned her head away. “She’s missing him, isn’t she? She knows things aren’t right.”

  “I really hope she cheers up soon,” Amelie said. “What are we going to tell Grandad?”

  Dad sighed. “I’m sure she’ll settle down. We can’t expect her to be happy straight away.”

  “I guess so,” Amelie said. But she hadn’t thought it would be like this. She’d imagined walks and cuddles with two gorgeous dogs. Instead she had a confused puppy and a miserable dog who wouldn’t even eat.

  “It’s all right, Monty.” Amelie smoothed his ears gently. “It’s going to be OK. I hope…” she added in a whisper.

  She and Monty were sitting in the hallway on the bottom step. The two dogs didn’t seem to be getting on very well. When they’d met before it had mostly been for walks – Amelie, Josh and Grandad had loved going out together with the dogs. Somehow it was different now that they were sharing a house. Monty had gone up and tried to give Daisy a friendly sniff but she’d growled at him, showing her teeth, and he’d backed away, looking frightened. Amelie had decided to take Monty out of the room again and give Daisy some time to settle.

  “Perhaps I should have guessed this would be confusing for you, too,” Amelie muttered. “I just thought Daisy would keep you company while me and Josh were at school. Dad says you’re always making sad eyes at him when he’s working.”

  Monty leaned against Amelie’s knees, enjoying the fuss she was making of him. His strange, bewildered feeling eased as she rubbed his ears. He let out a long huff of breath, his eyes half-closing.

  “Ready to go, Amelie?” said Mum, walking down the stairs.

  “Do I have to come?” Amelie asked, staring at Monty’s ears so she didn’t have to look at Mum.

  “Don’t you want to see Grandad?” Mum sat down on the stairs behind her. “He’d love to see you. Josh wanted to come but he’s got football practice. Are you worried about going to the hospital, sweetheart? I don’t think it’ll be scary. Grandad’s doing really well.”

  Amelie turned to look up at her. “It isn’t that. I mean, maybe a bit but mostly I don’t know what to say about Daisy. Grandad’s going to ask us how she is and I don’t want to tell him.”

  Mum put a hand on Amelie’s shoulder. “Grandad’s not going to expect miracles, Amelie. He’ll know she’s going to be upset to begin with. He’s really pleased we’re looking after her, you know. When I went to see him last night he said he knew you’d look after her for him.”

  “But I’m not looking after her!” Amelie sniffed hard and then half-laughed as Monty snuggled his damp nose against her chin. “Look – Monty can tell I’m worried. Daisy’s so upset, Mum. She didn’t eat dinner and she’s really grumpy with Monty. I think she hates being here, full stop.”

  Mum nodded. “Wouldn’t you, though? If you’d suddenly been taken to a new place, with people you didn’t really know, and you didn’t understand what was happening? And you were missing your best friend? She’s only been here a couple of hours, Amelie. We’ve just got to give her time.”

  Grandad looked small, Amelie decided. That was what was so weird. He was a tall man but in the hospital bed he seemed to have shrunk.

  “Ignore the pyjamas, Amelie,” he said as she came in, grinning at her and trying to heave himself up against the pillows. “These horrible yellow things are from the hospital. Your mum’s promised to nip back over to my house and get me my own ones.”

  Amelie giggled. “They are a funny colour,” she agreed. Grandad looked really pale and washed out – she didn’t think it was just because of the pyjamas but it was easier to pretend. “Are you feeling all right?” she asked, feeling slightly awkward.

  “Just tired.” Grandad reached out to pat her hand and Amelie moved closer to him – she could see how hard it was for him to lift his arm. She’d been hoping that he’d be able to come out of the hospital soon but now she could see how serious things were.

  “How’s Daisy?” Grandad asked. “How’s Monty coping with her bossing him around? Is she being a little madam?”

  Amelie swallowed. “A bit…” She wished Daisy would be bossy. That would be better than her being so quiet and unhappy.

  “She’s still getting used to the move, Dad,” Amelie’s mum put in. “I’m sure she’ll be fine soon.”

  Grandad nodded but he looked worried.

  “It’ll be OK, Grandad,” Amelie found herself saying. “I promise we’ll make her happy.”

  “I know you will, love.” Grandad smiled at her. “She’s in good hands.”

  Amelie smiled, too, but behind her back she was digging her nails into her palms. How could they make Daisy happy when she was so upset? But now she’d made a promise. And she was going to do everything she could to keep it.

  “Josh! Josh, wake up!”

  “Amelie…” Josh groaned and pulled the duvet up around his ears. “What’s the matter?”

  Amelie perched on the edge of his bed and Monty snuffled his nose under Josh’s duvet.

  “Eugh! Cold,” Josh moaned. “Get off, Monty.”

  “I need to talk to you. I’ve hardly slept at all, thinking about it.”

  “About what?” Josh sat up and looked at Amelie blearily. His hair was sticking up and he still seemed half-asleep.

  “I need you to help me make Daisy happy.”

  “What?” Josh yawned.

  “I promised Grandad,” Amelie explained. “I didn’t mean to, it just came out. I wanted to cheer him up… I told him we’d make Daisy happy. So now we have to.”

  “Me?” Josh sighed.

  “Both of us! What can we do? I’ve just been down to feed her and Monty, and she’s still not eating. She had a tiny nibble of her biscuits and then went back to her basket. And I think Monty’s scared of her. He kept looking over at her the whole time he was eating.”

  Josh ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “I wish the hospital let dogs in. She’s missing Grandad and he’s missing her. If only they could see each other.”

  Amelie nodded. “She’s only little – do you think we could smuggle her in? Maybe in my school bag?”

  Josh grinned. “I wish we could. But she’d bark her head off if we tried to put her in a bag. We might get banned from the hospital.”

  “I suppose so…” Then Amelie sat up, staring at him. “She can’t see Grandad … but what about hearing him? We could phone him at the hospital and he can talk to Daisy!”

  Josh nodded. “Yes! That’s perfect, Amelie! Let’s go and do it now.”

  Amelie jumped up but then she stopped. “I’m not sure we should, not before school. Grandad looked so tired yesterday – he might still be asleep.” She sighed. “Let’s call him when we get home. A few hours won’t matter…” It just seemed such a long time for Daisy to wait.

  Amelie spent the whole day worrying about Monty and Daisy. Dad had said that he’d try to take them both out for a morning walk but Amelie wasn’t sure Daisy would want to go. She’d been out in the garden to wee but she hadn’t seemed to enjoy the fresh air. She’d just trailed back into the house. When Monty wanted walks, he danced around her eagerly, or sometimes he sat in front of his lead, whining and trying to claw it off its hook. Daisy hadn’t done anything like that.

  “What’s the matter?” Ella asked her at break time.

  “Monty and Daisy aren’t getti
ng on,” Amelie admitted. “I got so excited about having Daisy come to live with us, I didn’t even think about what it would really be like.”

  Ella looked sympathetic. “But dogs do get new owners sometimes. I bet she’ll get used to you soon.”

  “I hope so. We’ve got a plan, anyway.” Amelie explained about the phone call and Ella nodded.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” she said, as the bell went. “Don’t worry, Amelie. I’m sure hearing your grandad’s voice will cheer Daisy up.”

  Amelie had promised to wait for Josh so they could phone Grandad together but he seemed to take hours to walk home from school that afternoon. She watched out for him from her bedroom window with Monty curled up on his cushion next to her.

  Monty was supposed to sleep in the kitchen – he definitely preferred sleeping in Amelie’s room, though. Mum and Dad had told Amelie he shouldn’t sleep on her bed, because when he was fully grown there’d be no room for her. So he had a big cushion next to the bed instead.

  As soon as Amelie saw her brother coming down the road, she leaped from the windowsill and galloped down the stairs. Monty had been half-asleep but he woke up as Amelie dashed past him. Where was she going? He blinked after her, confused, and then got up, shaking himself awake to follow her.

  “OK, OK, I’m coming,” Josh said, pulling his mobile out of his pocket as Amelie dragged him into the kitchen. The two baskets were still at opposite ends of the room – Daisy’s little dachshund-sized one and the great big basket that Dad had bought for Monty to grow into.

  “Dad said she wouldn’t go for a walk this morning,” Amelie told Josh. “She wouldn’t even get out of her basket.”

  “Maybe this’ll help,” Josh said, searching for Grandad’s number. Amelie crouched down next to Daisy, eyeing the little dog anxiously. She really hoped this would work.

  Daisy was curled up in a ball, with one paw stretched over her muzzle – almost as if she was trying to cover her eyes. She’d obviously heard Amelie and Josh coming. She opened one dark eye and stared at them suspiciously.

  “Josh! Amelie! Your mum told me about your idea!” Amelie could hear Grandad’s voice, small and hollow sounding, from the phone.

  “Hi, Grandad. I’m putting you on speaker – Daisy’s right here.”

  Before Josh could even touch the screen, Daisy was on her feet, her ears as pricked as a dachshund’s ever could be. Josh laughed. “Grandad, she can definitely hear you! Say hello to her!”

  “Daisy! Oh, there’s my lovely girl…”

  Amelie blinked back sudden tears. She didn’t really know why she was crying – it was just that Grandad sounded so happy to be talking to Daisy. Daisy looked happier, too. She had her nose pressed up against the phone and her tail was wagging the tiniest bit. It was working!

  Amelie beamed at Josh and he grinned back at her.

  Monty sat alone in the kitchen doorway, watching them fuss over Daisy, his head hanging low. As Amelie reached up to high-five Josh, he looked up eagerly, his tail starting to wag, hoping that she’d notice him. But Amelie was too busy watching Daisy.

  “Come on, Monty! Walk time!”

  Monty raced down the hallway, almost crashing into Amelie’s legs. He was desperate for a really good long walk.

  It had been five days since Grandad had gone into hospital. Josh and Amelie had done their best but walks had taken second place to hospital visits. They’d even had to miss Monty’s dog-training class on Saturday. But when they went to visit Grandad on Sunday he had told them to stop fussing. “I’m definitely on the mend,” he told Amelie firmly. “You need to go home and spend some time with those dogs. Sunday afternoon’s the perfect time for a long walk.”

  Monty ducked back as Daisy suddenly appeared from behind Amelie’s feet. He was still nervous around her. Daisy didn’t seem to care that she was so much smaller than he was. If he came near her food or her basket, she’d bare her teeth at him and growl. So Daisy was coming on the walk, too? He dropped back, crouching low and wagging his tail a little to try and show her that he was friendly.

  “It’s OK, Monty. Come on,” Amelie said, holding out his lead. “We’re going to the park – it’ll be fun!”

  “Ready to go? I’m looking forward to this.” Dad came out of his office, rubbing his eyes. “I’ve been at the computer for too long.” Dad was about to go away for a conference, so he was working all hours trying to get everything done before he went. “Josh, are you sure you’re not coming?”

  “Homework,” Josh growled from upstairs.

  Dad got Monty’s lead and clipped it on, and Monty followed Amelie and Daisy out of the front door. He could tell from the way they turned that they were going down the alley to the back entrance of the park and his walk got bouncier. Were they going to the field? Maybe Amelie would run with him.

  But then Dad led the way on to the path round the lake instead. Monty tugged at his lead, trying to pull towards the field, but Dad just said, “Heel, Monty,” and kept going. Monty followed, looking back regretfully at the long grass in the field. It was a warm day and the grass looked so cool and inviting.

  Lots of people came over to make a fuss of Daisy – the park was full of dog-walkers since it was a Sunday. They were mostly people who’d seen Amelie with Monty before and they wanted to hear about the new dog. Amelie and Dad kept stopping and starting, and Monty was bored. He felt all fidgety, as though his paws were itching. He wanted to chase something.

  Dad was holding him on a loose lead while they chatted to a lady with a spaniel when a pigeon walked past, right in front of his nose. Monty felt so full of energy he couldn’t resist. He leaped after it, barking loudly and almost pulling the lead out of Dad’s hand. The pigeon fluttered away with an indignant batting of wings. Dad stumbled, caught off balance, and put his foot down heavily right next to Daisy’s back paw. Daisy yapped sharply and cowered backwards in fright.

  “Monty, no!” Dad snapped, pulling him back, and Monty hunched his shoulders apologetically. Wasn’t he supposed to do that? He was just so sick of standing still.

  The lady with the spaniel smiled sympathetically at Monty. “He looks like he wants to get going. Good luck with them both.”

  “I suppose we’d better get home.” Dad sighed. “Haven’t you got that project to get started on, Amelie?”

  “Do we have to, Dad? We were going to go for a proper long walk.”

  “I know, but look at Daisy. Monty really scared her.”

  Amelie nodded sadly. Daisy was hiding behind Dad’s legs, shivering. It wasn’t fair to make her walk any more if she didn’t want to. “OK. Come on, Monty.”

  Monty stared up at Amelie in surprise. They were going home? Already? Was it because he’d chased that bird? Reluctantly, he plodded after Dad – that had hardly felt like a walk at all.

  “Daisy’s definitely starting to settle in,” Amelie told Ella when she saw her at school on Monday. “We got Grandad to talk to her on the phone a few times over the weekend and she looks a lot happier now. She even came out for a walk with us yesterday.”

  “That’s amazing.” Ella beamed at her.

  “We didn’t go out for very long, though.” Amelie sighed. “Monty tried to chase a pigeon and Dad tripped over and nearly trod on Daisy.”

  “So does Monty get on with Daisy OK?” Ella asked. “He wasn’t being naughty because he’s jealous of you fussing over her?”

  “Of course not! Anyway, I don’t fuss over Daisy more than I do over him.” Well, maybe a little more, a small voice inside her said. But I have to – she’s been so upset… Amelie shook her head firmly. “Monty’s fine. How’s your project going? Did your mum help you with the sewing?”

  She was glad when Ella rolled her eyes and started telling her about the dress disaster she was having. That little voice was still niggling away inside Amelie, telling her that maybe she had been neglecting Monty a bit…

  Everyone in the class was excited about their projects – Miss Garrett said she was go
ing to send a note home inviting parents in to see them all on Friday after school. Amelie was determined that her mosaic was going to be perfect. She had printed out a picture of a real Roman mosaic from the Internet – an under the sea scene with all sorts of fish. Amelie had decided to make just one big fish, otherwise it would take too long. Dad had gone to the craft shop and got her a big sheet of card and lots of colours of foam. It had taken ages to cut out all the little squares but now she just had to finish sticking them on top of the colour printout.

  When she got home from school she laid out her box with all the coloured squares on the kitchen table and started to stick them down along the delicate arched fin on the fish’s back – it was almost the last bit. She was so focused on the task that she didn’t notice Monty getting up out of his basket.

  The puppy had been sleeping off his dinner but he woke up feeling bright and bouncy, and spotted Amelie sitting at the kitchen table at once. He wanted her to fuss over him – or, even better, take him for a walk. He’d had a quick run with Dad that morning but he’d been in the house most of the day and Amelie hadn’t taken him out when she got back from school.

  Monty laid his muzzle in Amelie’s lap, gazing up at her with round, hopeful eyes. He expected her to reach down and stroke his ears, like she usually did.

  Instead Amelie squealed and jumped – she’d been concentrating so hard, she hadn’t heard Monty coming. She caught the box of foam squares with her elbow and it went flying, pieces of foam scattering everywhere.

  Monty skittered backwards. He didn’t like the tiny pieces, and he snapped and clawed at them as they fell on his nose and ears.

  “Oh no, Monty. Stop it!” Amelie grabbed his collar but Monty pulled away and accidentally barged into the table. Amelie’s glass of water tipped over, spilling right across her picture.

  “My mosaic!” Amelie wailed, letting go of Monty and trying to snatch the mosaic out of the way. But it was too late – the water had gone all over it.